realistic

Realistic is an adjective describing representations, interpretations, or expectations that closely reflect reality. It implies accuracy or plausibility, and can denote fidelity to facts, sensory appearance, or practical feasibility. The term contrasts with idealized, fantastical, or speculative depictions.

Etymology and sense: Realistic derives from the word real with the suffix -istic, ultimately tracing back to Latin realis meaning actual or genuine. In everyday use, it signals alignment with what is possible, observable, or normative under given conditions.

In art, literature, and media: Realism as a movement and approach emphasizes ordinary people, everyday situations, and social realities over romance or myth. Realistic fiction aims to reproduce natural dialogue and situational authenticity, while visual arts and cinema seek verisimilitude—an appearance of being true to life. In film and photography, realism often stresses naturalistic lighting, settings, and performance. In digital media, realistic rendering and photorealism strive to imitate real-world physics, textures, and materials.

In everyday usage: Realistic is commonly applied to plans, expectations, or assessments that are practical and achievable within current constraints. A realistic goal accounts for resources, time, and uncertainty, avoiding excessive optimism or pessimism. It can also describe a depiction that is faithful to observable phenomena or to known facts.

See also: Realism, verisimilitude, naturalism, photorealism. Realistic concepts appear across disciplines, from fine arts to engineering, wherever a credible, non-idealized representation of the world is sought.